Gen Z protesters Retreat to Re-Strategize After Protests Turn Violent

The Gen Z anti-government protestors are re-evaluating their approach after Tuesday's demonstrations turned violent, leading to looting and vandalism. They fear this could undermine their movement's goals of pushing President William Ruto to resign. 

The activists claim that "goons" hired by politicians are responsible for the violence, aiming to discredit legitimate demonstrators or push their own agendas. Some activists have taken to social media, urging that the planned demonstration for Thursday be called off. 

"It appears the state has realized the only way to counter our movement is by using goons to incite violence, break into properties, loot, and tarnish our cause," said Ojango Omondi, an activist from Nairobi. "We need to go back to the drawing board and strategize on how to overcome this violence and keep our protests focused on their true objectives."

The government spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. However, Interior Minister Kithure Kindike blamed the violence on "hordes of marauding criminal gangs" and accused some of attempting to "politicize crime."

The initial protests against proposed tax hikes were largely peaceful, despite police using tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators. These protests marked a shift as Kenyans from different ethnic backgrounds united over common economic concerns, unlike previous movements often driven by political figures with ethnic grievances.

The protests escalated when some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament last week, resulting in police opening fire and killing dozens. Following this, Ruto withdrew the tax increases, but protesters continued, demanding anti-corruption measures and Ruto's resignation.

Tuesday's protests were marked by violence from the start. Young men threw stones at police in Nairobi and other towns, while looters targeted businesses, prompting shop owners to defend themselves with sticks and clubs. 

Tom Mboya monument in Nairobi donned with full protest regalia: a placard, a water bottle, mask and a teargas cannister by protesters. 

Some protesters protesting in downtown Nairobi, decided to head home due to the chaos. "Peaceful protesters are deterred from coming to town, and we are prevented from exercising our civic duties," she said.

Ruto and the government have generally distinguished between peaceful protesters and those they label as criminals hijacking the demonstrations. However, Ruto's allies have used the violence to discredit the movement, known as Gen Z protests due to its youthful following.

A cop not in uniform points a pistol at protesters in Nairobi on Tuesday 

Dennis Itumbi, posted a video on X showing a group of young men robbing someone on the street. "Congratulations Gen Z for your peaceful and democratic protests," he wrote sarcastically. "The police should not interfere with your moves."

Gerald Bitok, the communications director at the presidency, claimed young people were turning against the protests. "The Gen Zs and the young people of this country have made it clear that they will not be part of demonstrations now associated with terror," he said on X.

During a public forum on X attended by over 400,000 people, one protest supporter acknowledged the movement's responsibility for the chaos by continuing demonstrations after Ruto withdrew the tax hikes. "You are equally culpable if you are still beating the drums of war," he said.

Others blamed paid goons, but many agreed that demonstrators should step back and cancel Thursday's protest. "We will have more casualties and not achieve our goals," said one. "Let's go back. Let's strategize."

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